Latest news with #ShrewsburyTownCouncil
BBC News
04-08-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Appeal for memories and photos of Shrewsbury Market Hall
Visitors and customers of Shrewsbury Market Hall are being asked for their memories and photos of the building to become part of an exhibition marking its 60th market opened on 16 September 1965 and was hailed as an example of "cutting-edge modern architecture", Shropshire Council replaced a 100-year-old Victorian market hall and now contains a shopping precinct, accommodation, a large, red brick clock tower and the award-winning Shrewsbury Indoor Market."Whether you love or hate the 1960s architecture, the market hall has played a significant role in the life and history of Shrewsbury over the past six decades," said Amy Williams, the tenant liaison manager. The market was designed by David du Rieu Aberdeen and is jointly run by Shropshire Council and Shrewsbury Town won the title of Britain's Favourite Market for the third year in a row in January and for a record fourth time overall."It is now a place well loved by people of the town and visitors alike for the award-winning market that thrives within it," Ms Williams said."Over the decades the market hall has been a place of enterprise, community and character. "We're not only celebrating the market hall's history, we're celebrating the people who have worked here and the memories of customers who have visited over the years."The market has changed so much in each decade, so it would be great to include photos of how the market used to look in the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and noughties. "We also want to hear individual stories from past traders and customers."Memories or photos of the previous Victorian hall are also welcome, the council added. Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
17-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Percy Thrower's daughter sad Shrewsbury flower show is ending
The community of Shrewsbury has reacted to the "shock" cancellation of one its most popular summer events, which has been running for 150 Flower Show, set up by the Shropshire Horticultural Society, began in for its notable display of flowers and fireworks, the event has brought thousands of visitors to the Quarry park each year - but organisers announced on Wednesday that they can no longer continue to run it due to rising costs. Margaret Thrower, a horticulturalist from Shrewsbury who has been involved with the flower show most of her life, said she is "heartbroken" as the show is "her family". Ms Thrower, daughter of Percy Thrower, who became famous in the 1970s and 80s for his appearances on shows such as Gardeners' World and Blue Peter, and was parks superintendent for Shrewsbury, said she is lost for words over the news."It has been my life from the day I was born almost," she told BBC Radio Shropshire."When I think of the years of history, years of hard work that have gone in to producing that show."But not only that, the joy and entertainment it has brought to so many people and what it has brought to Shrewsbury, it is sad," she said."The show is me, it is a family. It has brought a lot to the town but it is an end of an era. "I know the show was struggling but I never thought it would come to this." The show, which takes place over two days in mid-August, has been making a loss over recent years said Maelor Owen, chairman of Shropshire Horticultural cited "changes to National Insurance (NI) and the minimum wage", alongside the cost of living crisis as the reason behind the Maelor, who joined the society in 2004, said: "[For] people who have been with the society for a long time, it is safe to say people have looked at these things with their heart rather than their head."But if we continue the way we are then in the next 10 years we will be insolvent, it is no way to run any business or do anything."He said the 2024 show operated at a loss of £400,000, which led organisers to "act quickly" and make the decision. 'Part of who we are' Shrewsbury Town Council have said the news has come as a surprise as they were in discussions with organisers last week. Helen Ball, town clerk of Shrewsbury Town Council, said: "The Shrewsbury Flower Show is more than just a weekend event – it's part of who we are as a town. "We understand the increasing pressures faced by event organisers in today's climate and sincerely thank the Shropshire Horticultural Society for their many years of dedication. "We acknowledge the financial contribution the Horticultural Society made to the Quarry in 2000, which has left a lasting legacy for the town. "We've always worked closely and positively with their team, and this announcement will come as a disappointment to many."The council added that the introduction of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill – Martyn's Law – has introduced new and challenging responsibilities for event organisers, but said public safety must always remain paramount. Mark Hooper, from Visit Shropshire, told BBC Radio Shropshire: "When you say Shrewsbury people say 'flowers', so to lose something like this is terrible news, it is sad more than anything."Mr Hooper said the show is one of Shropshire's top five events of the year, bringing in a "substantial" amount of business for accommodation providers and the hospitality sector."It will be a big loss this year," he added. "But Shrewsbury has got some great entrepreneurs, maybe someone else could take it on?" The 2024 show featured more than 35 floral exhibitors and 175 traders - with expensive extra security measures added following a security threat at the 2023 Thrower, who lived in the park house in the Quarry as a young child, said she understands the society, which is a registered charity, cannot continue to make a loss but added the event has not changed with the times."It has got into a bit of a rut and just hasn't managed to get out of it," she said."Together people's aspirations and wants have changed over the years but the show hasn't changed with them."Mr Owen said the society will be looking at the event's long-term future, and those who have already bought tickets for the show can request refunds via the society's office. Additional reporting by Paul Shuttleworth Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
14-04-2025
- General
- BBC News
Shrewsbury beavers named Beryl and Bertie after school poll
Two beavers released into a Shropshire nature reserve this year have been named, after local school children submitted Eurasian beavers were released at the Old River Bed in Shrewsbury in February, reintroducing the animals to the area for the first time in 400 pair have now been named Beryl and Bertie, after Shropshire Wildlife Trust (SWT) and Shrewsbury Town Council launched a contest last winning entry came from Year 2 at Coleham Primary School, and beat other suggestions as Nutmeg and Acorn and Charlie and Darwin. A shortlist of the names suggested by schoolchildren was released earlier this month and the public were asked to vote for their final and Acorn were suggested by pupils at Meole Brace Primary School, and Charlie and Darwin came from Longnor CofE and Clive CofE beavers were transported to Shropshire from Scotland, and their release into the nature reserve is one of a number of recent projects in enclosed areas in the is hoped Beryl and Bertie will help to maintain the Old River Bed nature reserve, which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
10-04-2025
- General
- BBC News
Names needed for nature reserve's beavers
Getty Images Two beavers released into a nature reserve in Shropshire are looking for names. The Shropshire Beaver Project, by Shropshire Wildlife Trust and Shrewsbury Town Council, aims to assess the impact of the beavers on the wetland site. The bonded pair are the first to return to the Shropshire Hills in 400 years and the vote is open to try and find them names. A shortlist of names for the Shrewsbury beavers includes: Bertie and Beryl, Nutmeg and Acorn and Charlie and Darwin. People can visit the Shropshire Wildlife Trust's Instagram page to cast their vote, with the results to be revealed next week. They were released into the Old River Bed Nature Reserve in early February. Votes close on 11 April. Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
07-04-2025
- General
- BBC News
Names needed for Shropshire nature reserve's beavers
Two beavers released into a nature reserve in Shropshire are looking for names. The Shropshire Beaver Project, by Shropshire Wildlife Trust and Shrewsbury Town Council, aims to assess the impact of the beavers on the wetland bonded pair are the first to return to the Shropshire Hills in 400 years and the vote is open to try and find them names.A shortlist of names for the Shrewsbury beavers includes: Bertie and Beryl, Nutmeg and Acorn and Charlie and Darwin. People can visit the Shropshire Wildlife Trust's Instagram page to cast their vote, with the results to be revealed next week. They were released into the Old River Bed Nature Reserve in early close on 11 April. Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
